Machine of joining of sheets of plastics materials of big dimensions

ABSTRACT

Assembly machine of sheets of plastic matter of large dimension of the type consisting of a unit joinder consisting of a platform ( 10 ) carrying horizontally a narrow opening ( 18 ) running in the length by a fixed electrode ( 11 ) and a mobile electrode ( 14 ) in vertical movement on top of the fixed electrode. The horizontal platform ( 10 ) is moveable horizontally in longitudinal direction given by the fixed electrode of which the length is less than that of the narrow opening ( 18 ) in a manner to permit the shifting of said platform ( 10 ) which carries the means ( 15 ) permitting the support of a set of sheets ( 2 ) on top of the platform ( 10 ) in assembly position and said machine consists of control means ( 19, 19′ ), of means to support the sheets on the platform and a robot to control the different operations (FIG.  1 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims priority to French Patent Application No. 01/12597 which was filed on Sep. 27, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby specifically incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The proposed invention has as purpose an assembly machine of sheets of plastic material of large dimension.

[0003] The assembly, edge to edge, of the two sheets of plastic material of large dimension is realized by two operators placed at the entrance and exit of an assembly machine consisting of a horizontal platform containing a fixed electrode on top of which the first operator places the two edges of the two sheets to be assembled after which, and after having verified that the two edges are placed correctly on the fixed electrode, he orders the descent of a mobile electrode in vertical movement on top of the aforementioned edges for the purpose of creating their contact and joining one to the other. After the joinder operation is complete the second operator on the one hand pulls the two sheets away in a manner which permits the first operator to place a new section of edges to be joined, and on the other hand positions material in the center of the fixed electrode to assist the first operator in placing the two edges one on top of the other on the fixed electrode.

[0004] However, the use of these machines carries with it a higher assembly cost as a result of the presence of the two operators. On the other hand, the handling operations of the sheets are burdensome to the operator at the exit of the machine who has to pull with force the two sheets of large dimension on each of the assembled edges to remove them from the joinder position. Furthermore, it sometimes happens that the operator, who maintains the two edges on the fixed electrode during their merger, positions by mistake his fingers between the two electrodes, which fingers then are squeezed between the latter. The proposed invention has as goal to remedy those inconveniences in proposing an assembly machine of sheets of plastic material of large dimension at an operating cost less than the current machines and offering better safety conditions.

[0005] The assembly machine according to the proposed invention is of a type which consists of a joinder unit formed of a horizontal platform consisting of a narrow opening running lengthwise along the fixed electrode and a mobile electrode descending vertically on top of the fixed electrode, and characterizes itself essentially in that the said horizontal platform is movable in horizontal direction, in the longitudinal direction given by the fixed electrode the length of which is lower to that of the opening, such as to permit the changing of positions of said platform, which has means of supporting a set of sheets on the platform in assembly position and on which said machine has means of control to support the sheets on the platform and a control mechanism for the different operations.

[0006] The means which permit to support the sheets on the platform could be described by way of large suction holes placed on the upper surface of said platform permitting the creation of depression zones which have as effect to hold the pieces of sheets to be assembled against the upper surface of the platform. The suction holes preferably are positioned in two ranges of holes spread along each side of the longitudinal center of the platform passing by the fixed electrode, each range of holes permitting the connection of a sheet with the platform.

[0007] In a preferred operating mode, the platform shall consist at least of a push button integrated in the upper side of the platform for the operation of the suction holes. The platform shall preferably consist of two push buttons able to control each range of suction holes. The two push buttons controlling the suction holes could equally be used for the control of the shifting of the platform, particularly in the starting phase of the joinder process, after having positioned the first set of sheets to be assembled on the platform. The pilot shall not order the shifting of the platform until after the operator has validated the positioning of the sheets to be assembled on the platform.

[0008] Likewise, the machine according to the proposed invention carries the advantage over the current machines to operate with a single operator placed at the entrance of the machine.

[0009] The advantages and characteristics of the proposed invention become most clear as a result of the following description and which corresponds to the attached design, which represents one operating mode but is not necessarily limited thereto

[0010]FIG. 1 represents the view of the schematic profile of the machine according to the proposed invention

[0011]FIG. 2 represents a partial view from the perspective of the person in front of the machine according to the proposed invention.

[0012] FIGS. 3(a)(b)(c)(d) and (e) represent a schematic layout of the different stages of the functioning of the machine.

[0013] With reference to FIG. 1, one can see that the assembly machine according to the proposed invention consists of on the one hand a frame (1) supporting a horizontal table (10) of rectangular dimension for the positioning of the sheets to be assembled, which frame (1) stretches in front of (2) rims (10) between which moves an operator not depicted, and on the other hand a mobile cart (13) in vertical movement on top of the table (10) and carrying a horizontal electrode (14).

[0014] The assembly machine is controlled and its functioning controlled by the operator and by a robot.

[0015] The table (10) is traversed in the length by a fixed electrode (11) affixed to the framework (1) permitting the joinder of the sheets to be joined with the mobile electrode (14) and is movable in the direction of its longitudinal center parallel to the fixed electrode (11). The table (10) consists of suction holes (15) creating the depression zones permitting the support of the sheets in position on table (1).

[0016] One can equally see that the table (10) is mobile in vertical movement due to jacks (16), each mounted on a rolling device (16) guided in movement by a guiding rail (17) permitting the rolling of table 1 in the frame (1).

[0017] The two ramps (10) permit the operator to prepare the sheets to be assembled before their positioning on the table (10) and prevent the sheets to come in contact with the corners of the table (10) and therefore to be torn.

[0018] A little shelf (12) situated at the backside of the frame, at the exit of the machine is affixed to the table (10) and rendered mobile in parallel with the latter. Its purpose is to facilitate the removal of the assembled sheets by supporting them and pulling them. The shelf (12) likewise permits the joined sheets to drop at a remote point at the back of the table (10), and prevent the jamming and folding of the sheets which would result without the presence of the lower shelf and which could have as consequence the coming apart of the sheets at the front of the machine. The little shelf (12) has thus as purpose to accompany the removal of the joint sheets while supporting them flat on the table (10) in order to avoid that they lift themselves and that the air passes under the sheets causing them to come lose from the table (10).

[0019] If one were to refer to FIG. 2 one can see that rolling table 10 consists of a narrow opening (18) placed centrally used in its longitudinal direction and which is run through by the fixed electrode (11) at an inferior length than that of the narrow opening (18) in a manner which permits the shifting of the table (10).

[0020] In order to protect the operator, the mobile electrode (14) is isolated by a cage (14) with an opening on its bottom.

[0021] One can equally see on said FIG. (1 a) table (10) consisting of two ranges 150, 150′ of suction holes (15) situated on each side of the narrow opening (18) and controlled in the suction function by means of two push buttons 19, 19 able to equally control the shifting of the rolling table (10). If one were to refer to FIGS. 3a,b,c,d,& e, one can see that the functioning of the machine is as follows:

[0022] The operator places one sheet (2) of large dimension on the table (10) FIG. 3a, such as to position the edge (20) of the sheet (2) to be assembled with the edge of a second sheet, not shown, on top of the narrow opening (18) of table (10) after which he orders the functioning of the holes (15) over the corresponding range (150) by pushing on the push button (19) situated near the range of suction holes (15) which has as result the affixing of sheet (2) on the table (10), the second sheet is then positioned in the same manner in overlaying the sheet edge to edge with the first sheet, after which the operator orders the control of the second series (150) of suction holes (15) to support the second sheet in position on the table (10).

[0023] The operator then commands the shifting of the table (10) (FIG. 3b) such as to present the two edges to be assembled on top of the fixed electrode to be in joinder position.

[0024] Then the robot which controls the machine, after having detected the joinder position of the two sheets, orders the descent of the mobile electrode on top of the two edges of the two sheets (FIG. 3c) and puts the joinder operation into motion. During the joinder operation the robot commands the end of operation of the suction holes (15), then commands the descent of the table (10) by means of jacks in a manner of letting it role towards the front of the machine while limiting the rubbing with the two sheets. During the rolling towards the front of the machine, the back part of the table (10) then comes under the edges in the course of joinder and the front of the table (10) comes towards the operator level who can then during the joinder operation position a new section of edges to be assembled (FIG. 3d)

[0025] To remove the section of joint edges, the robot orders the shifting of the table (10) towards the rear of the machine only when the operator has validated the operation of positioning a new section of edges to be joined on the table (10) and after having commanded the repositioning of the table (10) to the initial position.

[0026] Once the merging operation is terminated, the robot orders the shifting of the table (10) towards the rear (FIG. e) to remove the joint parts of the sets of two joined sheets (2) of large dimension.

[0027] Contrary to current procedures where the positioning operation and joinder operation are in sequence, with the assembly machine according to the proposed invention they are made in overlapping time, that is that the positioning of the sheets is accomplished by the machine in the proposed invention during the joinder operation, and with a single person. 

1. Assembly machine of sheets (2) of plastic material of large dimension of the type consisting of one joinder unit formed with a horizontal platform (10) consisting of a narrow opening (18) running in the length by one fixed electrode (11) and a mobile electrode (14) in vertical movement on top of the fixed electrode characterized by the fact that the horizontal platform (10) is movable horizontally along the longitudinal direction given by the fixed electrode (11) of which the length is less than that of the narrow opening (18) in a manner to permit the shifting of said platform (10) which consists of means which permit to support a set of sheets (15), (2) on top of a platform (10) in assembly position and which consists of control means (19, 19′) which maintain the sheets on the platform and a robot which controls the different operations.
 2. Machine in accordance with the above claim #1 characterizes itself with means which permit to support the sheets (2) on the platform (10) appearing in the form of suction holes (15) affixed on the upper surface of said platform (10), permitting to create depression zones which have as purpose to hold the sheets to be assembled against the upper surface of the platform.
 3. Machine according to claim #2 above characterized with suction holes (15) which are placed in two rows (150, 150′) of holes (15) stretching on each side of the longitudinal center of the platform passing by the fixed electrode (11), each range of holes (15) permitting the affixation of one sheet to the platform (10).
 4. Machine according to claim #2 or #3 characterized by a platform (10) consisting of at least one push button (19,19′) integrated in the upper side of a platform (10) to control the suction holes.
 5. Machine according to claim #3 characterized by a plateau (10) consisting of two push buttons (19,19′) each able to control a series (150,150″) of suction holes (15).
 6. Machine according to either one of the above claims #2 to #5 above characterized in that the suction holes (15) are able to receive cross bars permitting to avoid the deformation of the sheets at the suction point.
 7. Machine according to whichever of the preceding claims characterized by a platform (10) which is also mobile vertically.
 8. Machine according to claim #7 which is characterized by a platform (10) mobile vertically due to jacks mounted each on a rolling guide guided in the direction of a rolling rail permitting the rolling of the platform (10).
 9. Machine according to each of the above claims characterized by a shelf (12) situated at the exit of the machine, and affixed to the platform (10) and rendered moveable in the direction of the platform.
 10. Machine according to each of the above claims characterized by a framework of the machine which supports the platform (10) which extends at the front of the machine at the entrance with ramps (10) in between which the operator moves. 